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Cue the ‘Jaws’ theme tune. And the alpha male quotes. Brooks Koepka is in circling ominously, just beneath the front page of a 122nd U.S. Open leaderboard full of equally impressive names.
An eye-catching 67 on Friday to go with his opening 73 took Koepka from the cut-line to even par and right back into the mix at The Country Club in Brookline. And with that, typically honest bravado ensued.
“I don’t come here hoping for second place,” Koepka said.
The 32-year-old American will start moving day in a seven-way share of 24th but more pertinently just five strokes behind co-leaders Collin Morikawa and Joel Dahmen. With names such as Rahm, McIlroy and Scheffler at various places in between, Koepka has some big, ahem, fish blocking his path to a third Wannamaker Trophy. But then few hunters will strike as much fear in the frontrunners over the weekend.
Remember, we’re talking about a four-time major champion, a two-time winner of America’s national championship (at Erin Hills in 2017 and Shinnecock Hills the following year) and arguably the most confident man currently swinging a club at the elite level.
Sure, the former world No.1 has battled injury since winning and then successfully defending the U.S. PGA Championship in 2018 and 2019s and is now down to 19th in the OWGR. But while his form has been mildly inconsistent, one critical commodity has never wavered.
“I mean, I’m pretty confident, but I feel like everybody should be confident in themselves, and if you’re not — people hate confidence. That’s why people aren’t a big fan of me,” Koepka told Golf.com.
“I think if you are a good player, you want to come in here and win. That’s why everybody is teeing it up. Nobody has a goal of just making the cut or anything like that.”
Remember also that Koepka also really finds his swagger in the major championships and has a particular affinity for the U.S. Open where his last four starts include back-to-back wins, second place behind Gary Woodland at Pebble Beach in 2019 and a T4 finish last year at Torrey Pines.
That was evidenced again on Friday when Koepka was asked how he felt about his position heading into the weekend.
Cue a very Brooks Koepka-Esque answer
“Maybe a little bit disappointed where I’m at just because of how poorly my iron play is, and usually that’s the best part of my game, and it’s just not even close to even average.”
The explanation of how the Ryder Cupper has ground his way back into form that followed will perhaps add chills to those above him on the leaderboard.
“I just start beating balls, man. Start practicing. Try to figure out what’s wrong, where,” he said. “You have to be honest with yourself. I think that’s something I’m pretty good at. Just assess what really needs to be done and what areas can improve. Just been grinding away.
“I feel like it’s been really close. Maybe the scores haven’t reflected it, but it’s only a matter of time.”
